House of Representatives.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume VI, Issue 844, 25 July 1879, Page 2

House of Representatives.

AFTERNOON SITTING. In the House yesterday afternoon, a petition was presented from a miner at the 'lhames, alleging that Captain Fraaer, R.M., had been guilty of cheating at cards, aud praying that an enquiry be made into the circumstances of the case. Replying to Mr. Stevens, the Premier said ttiat aii understanding existed with Mr. Larnach that he should receive remuneration m respect of his visit to England m 1877, iv the capacity of one of the loan agents to the extent of £2000. He added it would be observed Considerable saving had been effected m Bums usually paid to the loan agents. THE WANT OF CONFIDENCE DEBATE. Mr. Turnbull resumed the debate on the want of confidence motion, remarking that the only question at issue was who should occupy the Government benches. "He defended the Ministry, but agr§ed with the previous speakers that the greatest curse to the country, was the Native Department, aud he hoped to see it abolished. Mr. Macandrew said that judging from the terms of Sir W. Fox's amendment, it might have been expected that some Berious and pointed charges of maladministration would have been put forward, but nothing specific was stated, so there was very little to reply to. Sir W. Fox's Bpeeoli was an apt illustration of the maxim of no case for the prosecution, and abuse of oounsel for the defence. He vindicated the appointment of Mr. Luckie, who, he said, was the most eligible man for the office. He defended the Tapanui job, as having been dune with the sanction of the Committee of the whole House, and said he could point to fifty such jobs. He thought it was a pity that the House should be occupied with Buch petty questions, when there were so many important subjects requiring to be dealt with ; but parties were .so evenly balanced that it was evident little could be done this session, and that they should all agree to a dissolution and go to the country at once. He denied that the Premier had made him eat " humble pie," and he said that the disagreement with Mr. Ballance was merely an ebulition of temper on the part of the Premier. Mr. Acton Adams spoke strongly agaiust the Government, who, he said, were seeking dissolution m order to evade a fair trial of the charges brought against them. The Houßerose at 5.30 p.m. EVENING SITTING. At the Evening Sitting, Mr. Reeves resumed the debate, expressing his intention of supporting the Government. Mr. Bryce followed " him, with a strong attack on the Ministry. He said it was uunecesrary to review the policy disclosed m the Governor's speech, as the Government should be judged by what they had done, and not by what, they had promised to do. Mr. Woolcock also attacked the Ministry.

[Owing to all the wires coming into contact with each other, between Napier and Wellington, this message was abruptly stopped m transmission at this point.]